Drywalls Joint

ABSTRACT

A drywall joint, suitable for joining dry wall panels of wall and ceiling structures, wherein each drywall panel has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, the joint including: (a) an outer joint section, extending at least partially the height of and being disposed against the outer surface of the drywall panels; (b) an inner joint section, extending at least partially the height of and being disposed against the inner surface of the drywall panels; and (c) connectors for coupling the outer and inner joint sections together so as to sandwich the drywall panels between the outer and inner joint sections, the connectors including: i. first engagement formations on one of the outer and inner joint sections, and ii. correspondingly positioned second engagement formations on the other of the inner and outer joint sections, the first engagement formations being so positioned and shaped that they pass through the dry wall panels to inter engage with the second engagement formations in the other of the inner and outer joint sections when the outer and inner joint sections are coupled together.

INTRODUCTION

This invention relates to a joint and to components of such a joint forjoining drywall panels and plasterboards of wall and ceiling structuresin such a manner that it at least partially eliminates the need fornails, screws or the like fasteners.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Drywall, which commonly consists of a thin layer of gypsum between twolayers of heavy paper, is widely used for walls and ceilings in mostbuildings today because it is both faster and cheaper to install thanbrick, mortar and plaster. Drywall panels are commonly fastened toinside wall and ceiling frameworks of residential houses, offices andother buildings. In particular, edges of adjacent drywalls are buttedtogether and fastened to the framework by means of nails or drywallscrews to form so-called butt joints between adjacent panels.

After a drywall is installed, the butt joints are filled with a jointcompound, which is spread into and along each side of the joint.Immediately afterwards paper tape, which is used to reinforce thedrywall and to hide imperfections, are pressed into the wet compound,before excess material is smoothed away. Nail and screw depressions arealso covered with joint compound, as are imperfections caused by theinstallation of air-conditioning vents and other fixtures. This tapecoat is followed by a second and often third coat of the joint compound,with sanding of the treated areas where needed after each coat hascompletely dried to make them as smooth as the rest of the wall surface.The wall is subsequently painted or covered with wallpaper.

An alternative to paper tape is to use self-adhesive mesh or fiber tapewhich can be applied directly over the butt joints and which eliminatesthe need for initial joint filling, thus saving installation time andcosts. However, a shortcoming of using mesh or fiber tape is that itresults in a mechanically weaker joint than that which can be achievedwith paper tape.

The use of nails and/or screws in joining drywall panels has a number ofdisadvantages and shortcomings that complicate a drywall erectionprocess as a whole. Firstly, care must be taken not to fracture thedrywall at a point where the nail or screw enters. Also, trying to pryout a bent nail from a drywall is likely to tear up more drywall thanit's worth and as such one must be certain that each nail preciselyenters the correct spot on a drywall for locating in a joist in thesupport frame. Use of certain nails may not hold firmly into the framingand may pop out later on, causing the drywall to become dislodged atleast in part from the support frame.

A further disadvantage is that nails or screws can be forced too deeplyinto the drywall, causing the paper to break. The fasteners must be setjust a little below the surface to leave a shallow dimple withoutbreaking the paper on the drywall. This dimple gets filled with jointcompound later. On the other hand, it also happens that fastener headsare not sunk deeply enough into the drywall, leaving an unsightly humpafter application of the tape coat. Moreover, joint compound over thescrew and nail heads shrink a little, and as such joint compound must beapplied repeatedly to screw and nail heads to cover the same properly.

Yet a further disadvantage is that apertures resulting from nails andscrews where they protrude through a drywall generally decrease fireperformance of drywall structures at these locations. It is, inter alia,for this reason that manufacturers have very strict regulations abouthow many fasteners need to be used to attach drywall.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a noveljoint and components for such a joint for joining drywall panels andplasterboards of wall and ceiling structures in a manner that willovercome or at least minimize the disadvantages associated with priorart joining arrangements, or at the very least will provide a usefulalternative to existing drywall joining means.

It is a particular object of the invention to provide a joint andassociated components for joining drywalls in such a manner that it atleast in part eliminates the need for nails, screws or the likefasteners.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a virtuallyscrewless and nailless drywall joint and associated components that willpermit the use of mesh or fiber tape or any other jointing tape orsystem to form a joint that is mechanically equivalent to or strongerthan that which can be achieved with paper tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention there is provided a drywall joint suitablefor joining drywall panels of wall and ceiling structures wherein eachdrywall panel has an outer surface and an opposite inner surface, thejoint comprising

an outer joint section extending at least partially the height of andbeing disposed against the outer surface of the drywall panels;an inner joint section extending at least partially the height of andbeing disposed against the inner surface of the drywall panels; andconnectors for coupling the outer and the inner joint sections togetherto sandwich the drywall panels between the outer and inner jointsections, the connectors comprising

-   -   first engagement formations on one of the outer and inner joint        sections, and correspondingly positioned second engagement        formations on the other of the inner and outer joint sections,        the first engagement formations being so positioned and shaped        that they pass through the drywall panels to inter-engage with        the second engagement formations in the other of the inner and        outer joint sections when the outer and inner joint sections are        coupled together.

A plurality of panels may be joined in the above fashion.

For the purpose of this specification, the term “drywall” should beinterpreted also to include and refer to plasterboard, sheetrock,wallboard, gypsum board, and the like. The term “panels” should beinterpreted to include panels commonly used in the art for example woodpanels and Nutec panels.

The joint may be adapted to adjoin adjacent drywall panels in aside-by-side fashion wherein one drywall panel forms a junction withanother drywall panel, the joint arrangement being such that

the outer joint section is disposed against the outer surface of thedrywall panels at the junction;the inner joint section is disposed against the inner surface of thedrywall panels at the junction; andthe first engagement formations of the connectors are so positioned andshaped that they pass through the junction intermediate the drywallpanels to inter-engage with the second engagement formations in theother of the inner and outer joint sections for coupling the outer andthe inner joint sections together.

In another embodiment of the invention the joint may be adapted toadjoin adjacent drywall panels in an angular fashion relative to eachother wherein one drywall panel forms a junction with another drywallpanel at a corner zone. In this embodiment two outer joint sections mayextend at least partially the height and be disposed against the outersurfaces of the two drywall panels at the corner zone;

the inner joint section may extend at least partially the height and bedisposed against the two inner surfaces of the drywall panels at thecorner zone; andthe first and second engagement formations may inter-engage such thatthe inner joint section is nestled in the corner zone.

The first engagement formations may comprise tongue formations on one ofthe outer and inner joint sections, and the second engagement formationsmay comprise grooves on the other of the inner and outer joint sectionsthat are complimentary dimensioned to receive the tongue formationstherein. In particular, the second engagement formations may be grooveson the inner joint section and the first engagement formations may betongue formations that extend from the outer joint section and engage inthe grooves in the inner joint section. It will be appreciated that theengagement formations may comprise a single engagement formation, suchas a single tongue formation and/or a single groove formation or maycomprise a plurality of tongue formations and/or groove formations.

The tongue formations may define lateral hook or barb elements, lugs, orbeads that engage the second engagement formations. The first and secondengagement formations of the joint may engage in the form of a snap-fit.

The inner joint section may be separate from the outer joint section. Ina preferred form of the invention the inner joint section extends theheight of the drywall panel. The inner joint section may comprise anelongate body having a substantially U-shaped or square transversecross-sectional profile.

The inner joint section may include at least one groove, extending theheight of the inner joint section, in at least two legs, but preferablythree legs of the U-shaped or square elongate body. The inner jointsection may be reinforced at each corner zone between adjoining legs ofthe elongate body.

In the U-shaped embodiment of the inner joint section, the inner jointsection may include a spacer dimensioned to locate between and space thefree ends of the inner joint section to prevent the same from bendingtowards each other in use.

The inner joint section may be dimensioned matingly to engage aneighboring inner joint section, thus increasing the spacing between twoparallel walls in a double-walled structure.

The outer joint section may include the tongue formation and two legslaterally extending from the tongue formation, the tongue formationbeing dimensioned to locate in the grooves on the inner joint section,and the legs being dimensioned to locate against the outer surface ofdrywall panels. In use, the arrangement may be such that the drywallpanels are sandwiched between the legs of the outer joint section andthe inner joint section.

The outer joint section may include a double-beaded tongue formationhaving a first bead, which is dimensioned to locate in the grooves onthe inner joint section, a second bead following the first bead, and thetwo legs laterally extending from the second bead of the tongueformation, the arrangement being such that the second bead serves as agroove for receiving the tongue formation of an abutting other outerjoint section. In particular, the arrangement may be such that the legsof a first outer joint section may be forced open by the tongueformation of a second outer joint section such that the first bead ofthe tongue formation of the second outer joint section locates in thesecond bead of the tongue formation of the first outer joint section.

More particularly, the joint may be adapted also to join at least two,but possibly more, parallel and abutting drywall panels to each other toform a double-walled structure, wherein each drywall panel has an outersurface and an opposite inner surface and wherein the panels arepositioned such that the outer surface of a first drywall panel abutsthe inner surface of a parallel second drywall panel, the arrangementbeing such that

a first outer joint section is disposed against the outer surface of thefirst drywall panel;

an inner joint section is disposed against the inner surface of thefirst drywall panel; connectors are disposed for coupling the firstouter joint section to the inner joint section to sandwich the firstdrywall panel between the first outer joint section and the inner jointsection, particularly the tongue formation of the first outer jointsection passing through the first drywall panel to inter-engage with thegrooves on the inner joint section;

a second outer joint section is disposed against the outer surface ofthe second drywall panel;the tongue formation of the second outer joint section passing throughthe second drywall panel to inter-engage with the tongue formation ofthe first outer joint section, thus coupling the first and second outerjoint sections to each other for securing the second drywall panel tothe first drywall panel.

The joint may be adapted also to join at least two parallel drywallpanels, as described in the immediately preceding paragraph, in spacedrelationship to each other to form a double-walled structure, whereineach drywall panel has an outer surface and an opposite inner surfaceand wherein the panels are positioned such that the inner surfaces faceeach other, the arrangement being such that

a first outer joint section is disposed against the outer surface of onedrywall panel;a second outer joint section is disposed against the outer surface ofthe other drywall panel;the inner joint section is disposed intermediate and against the innersurfaces of the two drywall panels;the connectors are disposed for coupling the two outer joint sections tothe intermediate inner joint section to sandwich each of the drywallpanels between an outer joint section and the intermediate inner jointsection, the connectors comprising

-   -   first engagement formations on either of the outer and the inner        joint sections, and correspondingly positioned second engagement        formations on the other of the inner and outer joint sections,        the first engagement formations being so positioned and shaped        that they pass through the drywall panels to inter-engage with        the second engagement formations in the other of the inner and        outer joint sections when the outer and inner joint sections are        coupled together.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope thereof, a few embodiments of the inventionwill now be described by way of example only and with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein—

FIG. 1 is an exploded isometric view of a joint according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded plan view of the joint of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an assembled isometric view of the joint of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an assembled plan view of the joint of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a joint according to a second embodiment of theinvention illustrating a wall arrangement wherein one drywall panelforms a junction with another drywall panel at a corner zone;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a joint according to a third embodiment of theinvention wherein two sets of drywall panels are arranged about a squareinner joint section, such as when erecting workstations;

FIG. 7 illustrates how one inner joint section matingly engages aneighboring inner joint section to increasing the spacing between twoparallel walls in a double-walled structure; and

FIGS. 8( a) to 8(d) illustrates a number of different embodiments of theouter joint section.

A drywall joint according to the invention is generally designated byreference numeral [10]. The joint [10] is adapted for joining drywallpanels [12, 14, 16, 18] of wall and ceiling structures. Each drywallpanel has an outer surface [12.1, 14.1, 16.1, 18.1] and an oppositeinner surface [12.2, 14.2, 16.2, 18.2].

The joint [10] comprises an outer joint section [20] extending at leastpartially the height of and being disposed against the outer surface[12.1, 14.1, 16.1, 18.1] of the drywall panels [12, 14, 16, 18]. It alsocomprises an inner joint section [22] extending at least partially theheight of and being disposed against the inner surface [12.2, 14.2,16.2, 18.2] of the drywall panels.

The joint [10] further comprises connectors [20.1, 22.1] for couplingthe outer and the inner joint sections [20, 22] together to sandwich thedrywall panels [12, 14 and 16, 18] between the outer and inner jointsections [20, 22]. The connectors comprise first engagement formations[20.1] on one of the outer and inner joint sections [20, 22], andcorrespondingly positioned second engagement formations [22.1] on theother of the inner and outer joint sections [22, 20], the firstengagement formations [20.1] being so positioned and shaped that theypass through the drywall panels [12, 14 and 16, 18] to inter-engage withthe second engagement formations [22.1] in the other of the inner andouter joint sections [22, 20] when the outer and inner joint sections[20, 22] are coupled together.

The first engagement formations [20.1] comprise tongue formations [20.1]on one of the outer and inner joint sections [20, 22], and the secondengagement formations [22.1] comprise grooves [22.1] on the other of theinner and outer joint sections [22, 20] that are complimentarydimensioned to receive the tongue formations [20.1] therein. Inparticular, the second engagement formations are grooves [22.1] on theinner joint section [22] and the first engagement formations [20.1] aretongue formations [20.1] that extend from the outer joint section [20]and engage in the grooves [22.1] in the inner joint section [22]. Itwill be appreciated that the engagement formations may be providedsingularly or a plurality of formations may be provided to constitutethe engagement formations.

It is envisaged that these engagement formations add strength to thejoints apart from providing a simple and efficient way in which to jointhe panels.

The tongue formations [20.1] define lateral hook or barb elements, lugs,or beads, as illustrated, which engage the second engagement formations[22.1]. The first and second engagement formations [20.1, 22.1] of thejoint [10] engage in the form of a snap-fit.

The inner joint section [22] is separate from the outer joint section[20]. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention both the innerjoint section [22] and the outer joint section [20] extend the height ofthe drywall panel.

The inner joint section [22] comprises an elongate body [22.2] having asubstantially U-shaped or square (see FIG. 6) transverse cross-sectionalprofile. It includes at least one groove [22.1] extending the height ofthe inner joint section [22], in at least two legs, but preferably threelegs [22.5.1, 22.5.2, 22.5.3] of the U-shaped or square elongate body[22.2]. In the square-shaped embodiment of the inner joint section [22]of FIG. 6, the inner joint section [22] includes grooves [22.1] in eachof the four legs of the inner joint section [22]. The inner jointsection [22] may include reinforcement [22.3] (see FIG. 5) at eachcorner zone [22.4] between adjoining legs [22.5.1, 22.5.2 and 22.5.2,22.5.3] of the elongate body [22.2].

In the U-shaped embodiment of the inner joint section [22], the innerjoint section [22] may also include a spacer [24] (see FIGS. 4 and 5)dimensioned to locate between and space the free ends [22.6] of theinner joint section [22] to prevent the same from bending towards eachother in use.

The outer joint section [20] includes the tongue formation [20.1] andtwo legs [20.3] laterally extending from the tongue formation [20.1],the tongue formation [20.1] being dimensioned to locate in the grooves[22.1] on the inner joint section [22], and the legs [20.3] beingdimensioned to locate against the outer surface [12.1, 14.1, 16.1, 18.1]of the drywall panels. In use, the arrangement is such that the drywallpanels are sandwiched between the legs [20.3] of the outer joint section[20] and the inner joint section [22].

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the manner in which the joint [10] is adaptednot only to adjoin adjacent drywall panels in a side-by-side fashion,but also to join two parallel panels in spaced relationship relative toeach other. In these embodiments two drywall panels [12, 14 and 16, 18respectively] form a junction and the outer joint section [20] passesthrough the junction intermediate the panels [12, 14 and 16, 18respectively] to engage the inner joint section [22].

Referring now to the joint [10] between drywall panels [12, 14], whichare arranged in side-by-side fashion, the outer joint section [20], andparticularly the legs [20.3] of the outer joint section [20], isdisposed against the outer surface [12.1, 14.1] of the drywall panels[12, 14] at the junction. The inner joint section [22] is disposedagainst the inner surface [12.2, 14.2] of the drywall panels [12, 14] atthe junction. The tongue formations [20.1] of the outer joint section[20] are so positioned and shaped that they pass through the junctionintermediate the drywall panels [12, 14] to inter-engage with thegrooves [22.1] on the inner joint section [22] for coupling the outerand the inner joint sections [20, 22] together. It will be appreciatedthat the same arrangement is present between drywall panels [16, 18],which are also joined in side-by-side fashion.

The same joint [10] is adapted alternatively or simultaneously to joinat least two sets of parallel drywall panels [12, 14 and 16, 18] inspaced relationship to each other to form a double-walled structure,wherein the drywall panels are positioned such that the inner surfaces[12.2, 14.2, 16.2, 18.2] face each other. In this arrangement a firstouter joint section [20] is disposed against the outer surface [12.1,14.1] of one set of drywall panels [12, 14]; a second outer jointsection [20] is disposed against the outer surface [16.1, 18.1] of theother set of drywall panels [16, 18]; and the inner joint section [22]is disposed intermediate and against the inner surfaces [12.2, 14.2,16.2, 18.2] of the two sets of drywall panels [12, 14, 16, 18]. Thetongue formations [20.1] of the two opposing outer joint sections [20]pass through the junctions intermediate the drywall panels [12, 14 and16, 18 respectively] to engage opposing grooves [22.1] on the innerjoint section [22] for coupling the two outer joint sections [20] to theintermediate inner joint section [22], thereby sandwiching each of thedrywall panels [12, 14 and 16, 18 respectively] between an outer jointsection [20] and the intermediate inner joint section [22].

As can be seen in FIG. 7, the inner joint section [22] is adapted alsomatingly to engage a neighboring inner joint section [22] to increasethe spacing between two parallel drywalls [12, 14 and 16, 18] in adouble-walled structure. More particularly, the arrangement is such thatthe free ends [22.6] of one inner joint section [22] locate in thegrooves [22.1] of the neighboring inner joint section [22] to maintainthe inner joint sections [22] in spaced relationship. With thisarrangement, it is possible to provide for double-walled structures of avarious wall thicknesses by adding more inner joint sections [22].

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the invention where the joint[10] is positioned to adjoin adjacent drywall panels [12, 14] in anangular fashion relative to each other, wherein one drywall panel [12]forms a junction with another drywall panel [14] at a corner zone [26].In this embodiment two outer joint sections [20] are disposed againstthe outer surfaces [12.1, 14.1] of the two drywall panels [12, 14] atthe corner zone [26]. The inner joint section [22] is disposed againstthe two inner surfaces [12.2, 14.2] of the drywall panels [12, 14] atthe corner zone [26] such that it is nestled in the corner zone [26].The tongue formations [20.1] of the outer post sections [20] passthrough apertures in the drywall panels [12, 14] and locate in grooves[22.1] on the inner joint section [22], while the legs [20.3] of theouter post sections [20] locate against the outer surfaces [12.1, 14.1]of the two drywall panels [12, 14].

FIG. 6 is an elaborate example of the joint [10] according to theinvention, where the joint [10] has a square transverse cross-sectionalprofile and where it is engaged by four outer joint sections [20] atfour sides of the inner joint section [22].

FIG. 8( a) illustrates an outer joint section [20] having a tongueformation [20.1] defined by a single bead with the legs [20.3] extendingfrom the tongue formation [20.1]. FIGS. 8( b)-(d) illustrate outer jointsections [20] that each include a double-beaded tongue formation havinga first bead [20.1], which is dimensioned to locate in the grooves[22.1] on the inner joint section [22], a second bead [20.2] followingthe first bead [20.2], and the two legs [20.3] laterally extending fromthe second bead [20.2]. In this embodiment, the second bead [20.2]serves as a groove for receiving the tongue formation [20.1] of anabutting other outer joint section [20].

This arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 4, which exemplifies use of thejoint [10] alternatively or simultaneously to join at least two sets of,but possibly more, parallel and abutting drywall panels to each other toform a double-walled structure, wherein each drywall panel [12, 14, 30,32] has an outer surface [12.1, 14.1, 30.1, 32.1] and an opposite innersurface [12.2, 14.2, 30.2, 32.2] and wherein the panels are positionedsuch that the outer surfaces [12.1, 14.1] of a first set of drywallpanels [12, 14] abut the inner surfaces [30.2, 32.2] of a second set ofparallel drywall panels [30, 32].

The arrangement is such that a first outer joint section [20] isdisposed against the outer surfaces [12.1, 14.1] of the first set ofdrywall panels [12, 14]; and an inner joint section [22] is disposedagainst the inner surfaces [12.2, 14.2] of the first set of drywallpanels [12.14]. The tongue formation [20.1] of the first outer jointsection [20] pass through the first set of drywall panels [12, 14] tointer-engage with the grooves [22.1] on the inner joint section [22]. Asecond outer joint section [20] is disposed against the outer surface[30.1, 32.1] of the second set of drywall panels [30, 32] and the tongueformation [20.1] of the second outer joint section [20] pass through thesecond set of drywall panels [30, 32], forcing open the legs [20.3] ofthe first outer joint section [20] to inter-engage with the tongueformation [20.1] of the first outer joint section [20], thus couplingthe first and second outer joint sections [20] to each other forsecuring the second set of drywall panels [30, 32] to the first set ofdrywall panels [12, 14]. More particularly, the legs [20.3] of the firstouter joint section [20] are forced open by the tongue formation [20.1]of a second outer joint section [20] such that the first bead [20.1] ofthe tongue formation of the second outer joint section [20] locates inthe second bead [20.2] of the tongue formation of the first outer jointsection [20].

After the joint is in place, it is covered with mesh or fiber tape [34]to cover the joint. Although joint compound can first be applied to thejoint and paper tape used equally well with this joint, it isanticipated that, because of its unique construction, the jointaccording to the invention will permit the use of mesh or fiber tapeonly (i.e. in the absence of joint compound) to form a joint that ismechanically equivalent to or stronger than that which can be achievedwith paper tape.

Moreover, because of the fact that the joint of the invention does notmake any apertures through the drywall panels, as is the case when nailsor screws are used, it is also anticipated that the joint shouldincrease fire performance of the drywall.

It is also possible to insert a sonic gasket between the inner and outerjoint sections [20, 22], and particularly between the tongue formations[20.1] and the grooves [22.1] to enhance acoustic performance of walland ceiling structures.

It will be appreciated that many other embodiments of the invention maybe possible without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as setout in the consistory clauses.

1. A drywall joint, suitable for joining dry wall panels of wall andceiling structures, wherein each drywall panel has an outer surface andan opposite inner surface, the joint comprising: (a) an outer jointsection, extending at least partially the height of and being disposedagainst the outer surface of the drywall panels; (b) an inner jointsection, extending at least partially the height of and being disposedagainst the inner surface of the drywall panels; and (c) connectors forcoupling the outer and inner joint sections together so as to sandwichthe drywall panels between the outer and inner joint sections, theconnectors comprising: i. first engagement formations on one of theouter and inner joint sections, and ii. correspondingly positionedsecond engagement formations on the other of the inner and outer jointsections, the first engagement formations being so positioned and shapedthat they pass through the dry wall panels to inter engage with thesecond engagement formations in the other of the inner and outer jointsections when the outer and inner joint sections are coupled together.2. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein the first engagement formationscomprise tongue formations on one of the outer and inner joint sectionsand the second engagement formations comprise grooves on the other ofthe inner and outer joint sections, which grooves are complimentarilydimensioned to receive the tongue formations.
 3. The drywall joint ofclaim 2, wherein the tongue formations define lateral hook or barbelements, lugs, or beads.
 4. The drywall joint of claim 2, wherein thefirst engagement formations and the second engagement formations engagein a snap-fit fashion.
 5. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein theinner joint section is separate to the outer joint section.
 6. Thedrywall joint of claim 1, wherein the inner joint section comprises anelongate body having legs so as to define an elongate body having asubstantially U-shaped or square transverse cross-sectional profile. 7.The drywall joint of claim 6, wherein at least one groove is included inat least two legs of the U-shaped or square elongate body.
 8. Thedrywall joint of claim 6, wherein the inner joint section is re-enforcedat each corner zone between adjoining legs of the elongate body.
 9. Thedrywall joint of claim 1, wherein the inner joint section comprises anelongate body having a U-shaped cross sectional profile and includes aspacer dimensioned to locate between and space the free ends of theinner joint section.
 10. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein the innerjoint section is dimensioned matingly to engage a neighbouring innerjoint section.
 11. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein the outer jointsection includes a tongue formation and two legs laterally extendingfrom the tongue formation, the tongue formation being dimensioned tolocate in a groove provided in the inner joint section, and the legsbeings dimensioned to locate against the outer surface of the dry wallpanels.
 12. The drywall joint of claim 11, wherein the tongue formationhas a double head comprising a first bead, dimensioned and configured tolocate in a groove provided on the inner joint section; a second bead,following the first bead; and the two legs laterally extending from thesecond bead of the tongue formation, the second bead serving as a groovefor receiving the tongue formation of another abutting outer jointsection.
 13. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein the drywall panelsare adjoined in a side by side fashion such that one dry wall panelforms a junction with another drywall panel, the joint arrangement beingsuch that: (a) the outer joint section is disposed against the outersurface of the dry wall panels at the junction; (b) the inner jointsection is disposed against the inner surface of the drywall panels atthe junction; and (c) the first engagement formations on one of theinner and outer joint sections are positioned and shaped such that theypass through the junction intermediate the drywall panels to interengage with the second engagement formations in the other of the innerand outer joint sections for coupling the outer and the inner jointsections together.
 14. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein the drywallpanels are arranged in an angular fashion relative to each other whereinone drywall panel forms a junction with another drywall panel at acorner zone such that: (a) two outer joint sections extend at leastpartially the height of the drywall panels and are disposed against theouter surfaces thereof at the corner zone; (b) the inner joint sectionextends at least partially the height of the drywall panels and isdisposed against the two inner surfaces of the drywall panels at thecorner zone; and (c) the first and second engagement formations interengage such that the inner joint section is nestled in the corner zone.15. The drywall joint of claim 1, wherein at least two drywall panelsare joined in a parallel and abutting relationship to form a doublewalled structure, wherein each drywall panel has an outer surface and anopposite inner surface and wherein the panels are positioned such thatthe outer surface of a first drywall panel abuts the inner surface of aparallel and abutting second drywall panel, the arrangement being suchthat: (a) a first outer joint section is disposed against the outersurface of the first drywall panel; (b) an inner joint section isdisposed against the inner surface of the first drywall panel; (c) theconnectors are disposed for coupling the first outer joint section tothe inner joint section to sandwich the first drywall panel between thefirst outer joint section and the inner joint section; and (d) a secondouter joint section is disposed against the outer surface of the seconddrywall panel, the second outer joint section having engagementformations for inter engaging with the connectors provided on the firstouter joint section in order to couple the first and second outer jointsections together thereby securing the second drywall panelthere-between.
 16. The drywall joint of claim 15, wherein the firstouter joint section is provided with connectors comprising firstengagement formations in the form of a tongue formation; and wherein theinner joint section is provided with connectors comprising secondengagement formations in the form of a groove, such that the tongueformation of the first outer joint section passes through the firstdrywall panel to inter engage with the groove on the inner jointsection.
 17. The drywall joint of claim 15, wherein the engagementformations of the second outer joint section are provided in the form ofa tongue formation which passes through the second drywall panel tointer engage with a tongue formation provided in the first outer jointsection so as to couple the first and second outer joint sections toeach other for securing the second drywall panel to the first drywallpanel.
 18. The drywall joint of claim 15, wherein at least two drywallpanels are joined in a spaced relationship to each other to form adouble walled structure, wherein each drywall panel has an outer surfaceand an opposite inner surface and wherein the panels are positioned suchthat the inner surfaces face each other, the arrangement being suchthat: (a) a first outer joint section is disposed against the outersurface of one drywall panel; (b) a second outer joint section isdisposed against the outer surface of the other drywall panel; (c) theconnectors are disposed for coupling the two outer joint sections to anintermediate inner joint section so as to sandwich each of the drywallpanels between an outer joint section and the intermediate jointsection, the connectors comprising: i. first engagement formations oneither of the outer and the inner joint sections, and correspondinglypositioned second engagement formations on the other of the inner andouter joint sections, the first engagement formations being sopositioned and shaped that they pass through the drywall panels to interengage with the second engagement formations in the other of the innerand outer joint sections when the outer and inner joint sections arecoupled together.
 19. A drywall joint substantially as herein describedand exemplified, and/or described with reference to the accompanyingfigures.